Title: WWF Raw
Developer: Anchor
Publisher: THQ
System: X BOX
Released: 02/12/02

Review by: Kain

Wrestling has been a popular show for a while now. Though it is showing signs that people are beginning to lose interest, it is still the most popular show on cable TV. And just like its TV counterpart, wrestling video games remain hot today. One of these video games is WWF Raw from THQ. This is a rather new franchise (except if you consider it related to the Sega Genesis WWF Raw game) that was developed by the people that brought us Ultimate Fighting Championship on the Dreamcast, Anchor. This is the first time THQ has gone to Anchor to make a wrestling game, so there were obvious questions about how the game would come out.

Needless to say, the game came out rather well. The graphics are by far the best of any wrestling game. With signature entrances, 45 different superstars (4 hidden), and realistic looking moves, this game definitely rocks. I listened to all the hype for all the wrestling games and, though Smackdown 3! Just Bring It sounded like a deeper wrestling experience, Raw sounded awesome. I looked at the screen shots and decided right away that this was the wrestling game for me.

I, as well as many others, was a bit iffy on whether or not Anchor would be able to deliver a wrestling game that could have nearly as much impact as Yuke's Smackdown series. Well, that's the way I felt. However, I wanted a good X BOX wrestling game, and I didn't want another fiasco like WWF Royal Rumble for Dreamcast. WWF Raw was looking promising that Anchor might deliver a great game.

First Glance

My first impression came from the hype I heard about it. The hype sounded amazing...unfortunately the game didn't live up to the hype. Many of the functions that were originally said to be there...weren't. But, I was still amazed. I turned on the X BOX and went through the X BOX opening, and sat through the beginning legal stuff and the mandatory credits. All of a sudden, I saw the WWF opening of all the TV shows play. I think that this is a great addition. After that, the Raw opening played and it showed the fireworks and pyros on the stage. Amazingly detailed. My first thought was, "Man, this looks just like the show!"

Definitely a good looking game, with an intro to boost. I went through the first menu and looked at all the options... not as many as I'm used to. Smackdown has spoiled me. I got into an exhibition match and saw the entrances. Purely amazing. Real videos, real entrances, really cool. I especially liked the Museum mode in which you can view all of the wrestlers' stats and music video. The amount of created wrestlers are amazing and the Create-a-Wrestler Mode is the best one out of all games.

Graphics

The graphics in this game are, in a word, the best graphics I have ever seen in a wrestling game. I have played all the wrestling games out there... well, almost all. I'm sure there are a few out there I haven't played. But, anyway, The graphics are great, the character models are very realistic looking and the surroundings are equally as impressive. The moves are very true to reality. It's great. But don't take my word for it... take my word for it. Play the game and you'll see what I mean. The game is absolutely beautiful.

Rating: 9/10
Sound

The sound in this game is very well done. The entrance music is there and perfectly woven in. The ring announcer also adds a certain amount of greatness. They use the voices of both WWF ring announcers. Listen to the applause of the crowd as a fan favorite enters the arena. On the other hand, listen to the boos of a heel's entrance. The sound is of the actual wrestling matches. My only problem with it is that there is no trash talking. That doesn't matter much at all in the long run.All I can say is that the sound fits in perfectly to the game... just like beans go with franks.

Rating: 10/10
Gameplay

WWF Raw may not be as deep as the SmackDown series, but it is still very fun. The game has brought back the Challenge (or Career) mode that was in the previous, Acclaim-made WWF games. However, where Acclaim failed, Anchor has succeeded. The Challenge mode is by far my favorite way to play single player other than going into exhibition matches. The only part of this game that I don't like about the gameplay is that you can't set up a Raw or Pay-Per-View event like you can in previous Pay-Per-View modes. The gameplay is realistic and can't be beat by any other wrestling game... except maybe SmackDown 3. Unlike SmackDown 3, this game has no bugs to work out...well, none that I've seen.

Rating: 8/10
Controls

The controls are pick-up-and-play style. The moves are performed by simple button presses and are just as easily reversed. You would think that the realness of the moves and the TV style representation would take away from the controls, but it doesn't. The controls are easy and performable even with these new functions. The problem with these controls, however, are basically that the characters are a bit slow and are still able to move even when the camera is showing someone running in to interfere. That can be quite annoying. Overall, the game has great controls and the X BOX controller is perfect for it. The game could easily be put onto a different system but any other system would hurt the games graphics, sound and abilities. The only system, I believe, that could get even close to the X BOX's version would be Gamecube, but that system is too kiddy for games such as WWF Raw.

Rating: 8/10
Overview/Recap

WWF Raw has ahd a lot of hype to live up to. The game lived up to most of it, but not all of it. There are some functions that I was really looking forward to, but weren't in the final version. Nonetheless, WWF Raw is a great wrestling game, the most beautiful I've seen. The sound rocks and the character models are even better. I can play this game all day without getting bored. It allows for an awesome amount of created wrestlers to be stored... thanks to the X BOX hard drive. The game is definitely a must buy for any wrestling fan with an X BOX.

The Good, The Bad, The Confusing
  • + Character models are the best ever!
  • + Real entrances
  • + Controls are easy to master
  • + Ever wanted to beat down Fred Durst? He's here too!
  • + The games beginning is almost inspiring
  • + The Undertaker rules!
  • - Not as deep as the SmackDown series
  • - Just a little slow
  • ? Why not have some of the WCW wrestlers in there?
  • Let Me Repeat that One More Time

    Graphics: 9/10
    Absolutely beautiful, none better!

    Sound: 10/10
    Very true to the TV show

    Gameplay: 8/10
    A little difficult at first, but all-in-all very nice

    Control: 8/10
    Easy to master, Fun to play

    Overall (not an average): 8.5/10
    My favorite wrestling game of all, maybe it'll be yours, too.